World Cup Group Betting Picture Taking Shape

First place in Group C will be on the line on Thursday when Colombia meets Ivory Coast at Brazil 2014. Colombia is currently +105 on the moneyline at Bovada’s sportsbook. The point spread is a PICK, with Colombia pegged at -200 and Ivory Coast at +165.

Colombia is a -285 favorite to win Group C, according to Topbet, while Ivory Coast has odds of +250. Topbet also pegs Colombia and Ivory Coast as the two squads to advance out of the group, with betting odds of -300.

A pair of former World Cup championship sides will also meet on Thursday. At 5Dimes, England is a +111 moneyline favorite to defeat Uruguay and stay alive in Group D. Uruguay, once considered a tournament dark horse, sits on the edge of elimination. After being upset by 500/1 futures longshot Costa Rica, Uruguay are a+275 moneyline underdog against the Three Lions.

On Friday, Italy are 1-point, -200 moneyline favorites against the Ticos, +135 underdogs at Bovada to advance to the round of 16, despite their historic win over Uruguay.

Also on Friday, Switzerland and France meet in a battle of winners in Group E opening matches. The Swiss are intriguing +375 moneyline underdogs against France. The two squads played to a scoreless draw in 2006, the last time they met in the World Cup.

A pair of soccer powerhouse nations will look to punch their tickets to the round of 16 in Saturday’s World Cup action. Argentina are 2.5-goal favorites and -900 on the moneyline against Iran, who sit at +1800. The Argentines trail only host Brazil and Germany in futures betting with odds of 4/1, while Iran are 1500/1.

The Germans are a -425 moneyline bet against Ghana in Group G action. After routing Portugal 4-0 on Monday, a win against Ghana would clinch a berth in the knockout stage for the three-time World champs.

The highlight of Sunday’s schedule will be the matchup between the United States and Portugal. The Americans, who entered the tournament as longshots in Group G, can advance to the round of 16 with a win. But for now, struggling Portugal are the favorites on Sunday, -155 on the moneyline, while the United States are +375 underdogs.